Entry DescriptionSTATEHOUSE (March 12, 2013) — State Sen. Allen Paul (R-Richmond) is working to preserve and protect a historic collection of Indiana battle flags with legislation that passed the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety today.

The committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 323, which would establish a state fund to preserve these flags, with the ultimate goal of making them available to every county courthouse in the state.

“Battle flags were a source of pride for our brave soldiers of the past,” Paul said. “They represented their regiment and their courage, and were a symbol of their sacrifice. Preserving these flags preserves the memory of those who have fought to protect us.”

Prior to World War I, each battle regiment was issued a flag that marked the group’s position and allowed officers to communicate instructions in the field. Over the years, the Indiana War Memorial Commission has gathered a collection of more than 400 of these flags from the Mexican-American War to the Persian Gulf War. This is one of the largest battle flag collections in the country. Age and water damage, however, have caused the flags to deteriorate, leading Paul and other legislators to seek new protection for them.

SB 323 will now move to the House Ways and Means committee for further consideration. More information and stories about some of Indiana’s battle flags can be found here.

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